New Rivian Dispensers and non Competitive Pricing

wildlife R1T · 2025-04-03T14:11:49+00:00

I have previously used the streaming capability back when it first came out as well as the hotspot since before Connect+ was a thing. I am trying to get the streaming working again but it seems to have been hidden fully behind the paywall. (Not looking to argue the merits of that system here) I recall after Connect+ came out being able to still use the Hotspot while tethering with my phone, and losing it isn't a big deal other than needing to update my wife's wifi, but I think I remember needing to be on the Hotspot to do casting. My question is, did Rivian remove both of these features to fully behind the connect+ paywall? I thought that if you used phone tethering or if you were connected to WIFI you could use most all of the usual streaming like features of the Rivian? If anyone can recommend how to stream while using tethering I'm sure myself and others without Connect+ would appreciate it.

Rivian Blue

Member

Yesterday at 1:20 PM

I have been taking a look at the new Rivian dispensers and I can’t seem to understand the strategy of the RAN network. I can understand why Tesla built their’s out - there was no existing network and they needed the charging network to exist in order to sell the cars. And they had a bunch of tax benefits and federal and state funds available to use to help offset or even cover the costs. And the Tesla logo being out there at every rest stop and mall is free advertising. They could operat the network at cost or a tiny profit for years on end to get them economies of scale etc etc. And then later slightly turn the knob up by a penny or two and rake in recurring money.

But it’s 2025 now and other charging networks exist. Like a LOT of other networks. I can absolutely understand why they would put RAN locations at trail heads and near parks and any other outdoorsy place. I went on a trip 2 weeks back using RAN along the way and every one of them had another charging vendor in the same parking lot or across the street. If it costs the same as any other network why would anyone choose RAN over another? Also, why is Rivian expending the energy and focus to site/build/operate those?

Unless RAN is just some other white labeled network under the covers that’s a bunch of limited resources that could be used for something else.

Of note: I chose RAN because I’m still on my free 6 months of charging. But after that ends I’ll mostly just use whoever is right on the highway rather than getting off and driving out of my way to a RAN.

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